Similar to RTW, which jumps from "Toddler 2" to "Child 14". Kwik Sew offers instruction on How To Measure:
formatting link
for children:
formatting link
and gives a standard child's measurement chart (scroll down the page):
Imperial:
formatting link
Metric:
formatting link
There is *no* way around having to measure. Really. You *must* measure the person for whom you are intending to make a garment in order to purchase or trace-off the correct pattern size.
Look at the measurement chart in the book; usually sizes are listed in both US and metric. If not, let us know and someone will give them to you. Emily
Anything flat and reasonably thin that comes in rolls or large sheets will do. (well, it shouldn't be stretchy or fuzzy -- been there, done that, threw away the patterns.) And if you can hang it on a nail, it doesn't even have to be reasonably thin. Slopers, in particular, are easier to use when made of cardboard. (A sloper is a pattern used to design patterns. It has no seam allowances and the darts are cut out, so that you can trace around it to mark the seam lines of your new pattern.)
Tissue paper is flimsy, but it does come in large pieces, and you can see through it, so if there's nothing else, and if you don't plan to use the pattern more than two or three times, it will work.
If paper is rumpled, you can dry-iron it. (Shortly after we moved, before I'd found a source of newsprint, I made several patterns on packing paper.)
If you can't see through the paper and haven't got a light table or a large window or a glass-topped table you can put a lamp under, buy some typist's carbon paper. A sheet can be used many times for pattern copying -- I have four sheets of single-use paper that have been in my pattern box ever since a typewriter and a stack of carbonsets was a reasonable way to make copies, and they still work fine.
When copying onto opaque paper, put sheets of carbon under the paper, carbon up, and sheets of carbon over the paper, carbon down, and trace the pattern with a knitting needle or an absolutely-empty ball-point pen, or a roulette, or a tracing wheel, or whatever strikes your fancy. I have a stylus made especially for tracing stashed away somewhere, probably in the same closet as the drafting board. You needn't bother with the under-the-paper carbons when copying cutting lines, but make sure there is carbon on both sides when tracing darts, notches, etc.
I use only three sheets and move them around under the pattern, but I copy only one-size patterns that have already been cut out, so I can trace around the cutting lines without carbon. For copying a new multi-size pattern, it might be well to use the whole packet of carbon paper and cover all of both sides of the paper.
Iron the pattern before attempting to copy it -- but make sure that no steam or dampness can get anywhere near the paper. Best to use an iron that has never in its life had water in it.
Drafting tape tears tissue paper. If you can't tape in a disposable part of the paper, use re-positionable correction tape to hold down tissue paper.
Like masking tape, drafting tape latches on more firmly as time goes by. Don't leave it in place longer than a few hours.
I can't tell you how much this "conversation" helped me decide to sew for my new granddaughter! Used to sew for my daughters--40 years ago--and have even given away my sewing machines. But, now I am inspired to buy a new machine (any suggestions?) and find some simple patterns, perhaps summer p.j. or jumpers and get sewing. Hope you will give me lots of advice as I go.
Liz, there's a "what sewing machine" faq in the archives, or at
formatting link
that may be useful to you.I'm going to suggest, however, that you also might want to try a fewsergers while you're out shopping -- they're sort of the microwavesof sewing, and they literally do make it faster to make a simple garmentthan wash and dry one. And they'll do things like make short work ofmiles of ruffles that had to be hemmed and gathered, or attach elasticto waist and cuffs, or... or... or... (Can you thread a sewing machine?Can you thread it 4 or 5 times? If so, you can thread a serger!). Welcome back to sewing!
Dear Liz, Welcome back and don't forget to bring your questions to us. You're not going to get better help than you'll find here. We have many fine people who can give you a hand. I want to suggest to both you and Myrna that you check us out at alt.sewing as well. It's a bit more active group. Same people just more posts for some reason. Both these groups have come to my rescue more times than I can count. I know you'll love sewing for your grands. They just appreciate everything you do so much. Liz how old is your Granddaughter? If she's a tiny one you may find that the Kwik Sew book for babies great for patterns. Juno
Juno: My granddaughter is 8 months old. Where can I get the Kwik Sew pattern book for babies? I looked at Kwik Sew on line but didn't see much for babies.
Liz, I just found this one yesterday when looking for something else on Denver fabrics. This is the best price I've ever seen for Sewing for Babies. $15.37
formatting link
also have Sewing for Toddlers and Sewing for Children on the same page.Myrna you might want to take a look also.I like
My DD is 10 months old - her chest size is already 20" - which is what as given as size T1 in the Kwik Sew toddler book. I haven't had time to finish measuring her to see how well a T1 size would fit all over, but I think it would be worth measuring your GDD to see how much use the babies book would be - she might grow out of the patterns sooner than you think!
*NAYY!!!* type kwik sew into the book search and you'll find a new, never used copy for $10.00. There's also baby and children books as well as the toddler.....and more. When I am looking for a book I always check this site first, I've only been disappointed if the book wasn't listed. I can tell you I've been ordering books from this site for over ten years and not once had a problem. I've also recommended it to many of my friends and they haven't had a problem either. It's now run by eBay but it's not an auction site, I think they are somehow associated with Amazon.com, too. Anyway, it's worth a try to see what you can find for the least amount of money.
Hope this helps, Val
formatting link
They also have Sewing for Toddlers and Sewing for Children on the same > page.
InspirePoint website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here.
All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.